v4.6, November 21, 2020

NOTE: This site is under development

Copyright (C) by A. Yiannakis and ITMA 2009, 2020

Who We Are: Our Vision and Mission

ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm pleased to announced that we have severed our relationship with the Dept. of HESS at UNM and we are now affiliated with the Martial Arts International Federation (MAIF). This is an important development because this now marks the new Institute's international focus.

The Institute of Traditional Martial Arts is the first of its kind in the United States, and possibly the world. It was originally founded by Prof. Yiannakis at the University of New Mexico in 2009. It is now affiliated with the Martial Arts International Federation (MAIF) and has working relationships with several universities in the USA, including the University of Connecticut; the University of New Mexico; Illinois State University; and Eastern Connecticut State University. It comprises a diverse group of martial artists and academic representing various traditional, or traditionally-based Asian arts. We come from all walks of life. Some of us are academics or medical doctors, and others work in the public and private sectors. What we all have in common is a passion for the martial arts, and their growth and development. In addition to the National/International Board of Advisers we are also fortunate to have on board some exceptional individuals who represent ITMA in specialized areas and Initiatives. We are all committed to the Goals and Mission of the Institute (see below) and our efforts are directed toward creating a community of experts in the United States, and around the world (a martial arts network, if you like); a community of talented individuals who, by working together, will help enhance the quality of life of all citizens and contribute to the growth, development, research, and dissemination of knowledge and preservation of traditional martial arts locally, and globally.

   

Organizational Structure


ITMA is affiliated with, and housed in the Martial Arts International Federation

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Also affiliated with USJJF, USA-TKJ, and USMAF

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Secretary-General:Col. Bruce Bethers (rtd.)

Institute Director

Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D.

9th Dan Jujutsu/6th Dan Judo (USJJF)


National/International Board of Advisers

(To include representatives from France, Germany, Italy, South America, Japan, China, India, England, Israel, Greece, Cyprus and Australia, among others)

Sensei Ray Perales, Hachidan, Karate and Aikido. ITMA Chapter Director, Arizona

Sensei Dionisio de la Torre, Jr., Rokudan. Chair Pan-American Jujutsu Federation, Miami Florida

Sifu Phil Romero, Romero's Wing Chun, Albuquerque, NM

Dr. Alex Lyras, Associate Professor, Tsukuba Univ. Japan and Georgetown Univ., USA. Director, International Program on Olympism & Humanity

Sensei Linda Yiannakis, 6th Dan Traditional Kodokan Judo; 6th Dan Traditional Jujutsu (USJJF).Sandia Judo Club and    Duke City Dojo, ABQ, New Mexico

Sensei Mark Fraser, 5th Dan Judo, 2nd Dan Jujutsu, Sandia Judo Club, ABQ, New Mexico

Sensei Dr.James Cornfield, 4th Dan Aikido, 4th Dan Yamate Ryu Aikijutsu; Chief Instructor, Sandia Budokan, ABQ, New    Mexico

Sensei Greg Kane, Ph.D., 6th Dan Jujutsu (Menkyo Kaiden); Dept. Chair and Associate Professor, Eastern CT State Univ.    Head Instructor, University of Connecticut Jujutsu

Sensei Jose Caracena (6th Dan Judo, 6th Dan Jujutsu), Spain

Shifu Dr. Zibin Guo, Professor, University of Tennessee, USA

Sensei Kostas Dervenis, 5th Dan Jujutsu/Jojutsu. Headmaster of Pammachon, Brussels, Belgium, and Athens, Greece

Sensei Robert Baker, Ph.D., 5th Dan Jujutsu (Menkyo Kaiden). Assoc. VP IL State Univ.,and Head Jujutsu Instructor,    Illinois State Univ., Chicago, IL.

Sensei Eugene Sedeno, 9th Dan Kenpo Karate and Kajukenbo, Albuquerque, NM

Sensei Rob Debuck, 4th Dan Judo; 1st Dan Tae Kwon Do. Former APD Captain and Specialist in Handgun    Disarming/Retention Techniques. Albuquerque, NM.

Dr. Paul Barrett, 4th Dan Iwama Aikido. Director of ITMA Lecture Series in New Mexico

Sensei Eldridge Hawkins, MBA, JD., 5th Dan Kenpo; 5th Dan Ju-jitsu; 5th Dan American style Nunchaku. Former Police    Officer. CEO, Black Belt Security & Investigations, New Jersey

Dr.Bill Drougas, 9th Dan Kung Fu. Master of Tai Chi Chuan and Sijo of Dou Chuan Pai Kung Fu, Arta, Greece

Dr. Llyr Jones, UK. Llyr Jones is "Executive Director - Strategy" at the UK Defence Solutions Centre, Cody Technology Park, Farnborough, Hampshire.


 

Major Goals, Initiatives, Activities And Benefis of ITMA

ITMA will function in a partnership with IMAF, USMAF, USJJF and USA-TKJ for the benefit of all its members and their arts. To qualify for membership the Institute requires that members hold black belt rank (or equivalent) in at least one traditional, or traditionally-based martial art from such countries of origin as Japan, China, Korea, and the like. Such ranks must be validated by IMAF, or USJJF, or USMAF, or USA-TKJ.

ITMA Membership and Fees

Membership in ITMA is FREE. While ITMA will not issue Promotion or Rank Validation certificates, ITMA members may qualify for (i) Club Recognition Certificates, (ii) Chapter Regional Director Certificates, (iii) Board of Adviser Certificates, and (iv) ITMA Membership Cards. These are free but there is a

shipping cost of $6 (in USA) and $10 (for abroad)

. While there is NO membership fee to join ITMA, interested parties must request that they be placed on the ITMA Membership Master List in order to receive notifications, updates, and the like. Such requests should include name, rank and martial art. Paid up members of MAIF, USMAF, US-TKJ and USJJF who are interested in joining ITMA must also request to be placed on the ITMA Membership Master List. Again, there is no fee to join ITMA!

National/International ITMA Chapter Directors

1. Selected ITMA members may be invited to head up ITMA Chapters (as Directors) in all major regions in the US, and abroad. Their function is to organize their own local Friendship Seminars and help promote ITMA in their Region/Country. ITMA Chapter Directors in the US and Abroad will organize their own optional summer camps and professional development seminars, as needed. This may be done on a purely voluntary basis

2. Local Chapter Directors may be requsted to assist in the implementation of a martial arts minor (or major), or an area of concentration, in universities in the US, and around the world. However, such participation is voluntary

3. ITMA will advertise on its national website the activities, events and accomplishments of individual clubs in the US, and Abroad, and help with marketing, promotion and student recruitment, using websites and Social Media.

4. ITMA, in colleboration with MAIF, USJJF, USMAF and US-TKJ will help promote the study, teaching and research of traditional martial arts, and their application in the modern world

5. ITMA, collaboration with MAIF, etc., will help establish and promote a sense of community among diverse martial arts systems and participants in the United States and internationally (e.g., through Friendship Seminars; Workshops/Clinics, summer camps, research and publications, etc.). The ultimate goal is to establish a martial arts network (called martialnet) that will serve as a resource for all martial artists in the network

6. To develop Outreach Programs that help benefit the young (especially at risk youth), and other critical populations, and help embed and promote legitimate traditional systems in schools, communities, clubs, universities, the police, security agencies, and the like

7. To develop instructional material and videos on the technical, historical, psychological and philosophical aspects of the martial arts

Special Initiatives

1. Conduct reasearch on the effects of martial arts training on the individual and society (Committee Members: Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D., Robert Baker, Ph.D., Greg Kane, Ph.D., Alex Lyras, Ph.D., and Sensei Kostas Dervenis, MS, among others)

2. Engage in collaborative relationships with several universities such as Tsukuba University in Japan, and Georgetown University in the United States, to pursue such initiatives as Olympics for Humanity. Dr. Alex Lyras, Director. More on this at a later date

3. To help improve the Quality of Life through the study and practice of traditional martial arts, especially as lifetime forms of physical activity, by conducting Friendship Seminars, clinics, demonstrations and other forms of outreach activity

4. To develop an organizational structure that helps contribute to professional development, and provides additional certification for instructors in specialized areas, such as Taiho Jutsu, among others.

 

 

ITMA Chapters and Directors in the US and Abroad

Institute Senior Advisers

Institute Technical Consultants

DIRECTORY of ITMA AFFILIATED CLUBS & INSTRUCTORS

ITMA Member Publications/Presentations/Videos/Clinics

General Publications and Papers on the Martial Arts

Links to University Depts., Organizations and Clubs

Proposed Certificate Program in Martial Arts Studies for universities and colleges

ITMA FRIENDSHIP SEMINARS in New Mexico: Budo Without Boundaries

You can reach Prof. Andrew Yiannakis at: ayiann.jujutsu@gmail.com

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Disclaimer

Our affiliates, members, and national and international representatives are entities that function independently of the Institute of Traditional Martial Arts. The Institute (ITMA) and its Board of Directors are therefore not liable, or responsible, for any actions by such affiliates, representatives or members that take place in their various schools (dojos) that may lead to injury of a student or instructor. ALL Intsructors (and their clubs) are strongly advised to carry personal injury and liability insurance